Chapter 7 Test Bank
This is the goal of employment planning. A) selecting competent employees B) obtaining competent employees with up-to-date skills C) obtaining competent and high-performing employees D) selecting high-performing employees only
A) selecting competent employees
The first three activities of the human resource management (HRM) process are about ________. A) recruiting B) planning C) training D) downsizing
B. Planning
Which of the following is NOT an outcome of an effective compensation system? A) keeping employees motivated B) attracting talented employees C) greater unionization of the workforce D) retaining talented employees
C) greater unionization of the workforce
A wheelchair-bound applicant may be denied a job ________. A) under no circumstances B) if the job is strenuous or physically tiring in some way C) if the job requires complete physical mobility D) in some states
C) if the job requires complete physical mobility
The best way to measure the effectiveness of job training is to simply ask trainees how they felt about the trainer and their impressions of what they learned.
False
The only goal of a performance management system is to assess manufacturing levels and technological efficiency.
False
Using individual ranking as an employee appraisal device, two employees might be named "best" in the group.
False
Written tests fell into disfavor in the late 1960s and are now rarely used in the selection process.
False
One major way that an organization can protect itself against sexual harassment cases is to make sure that all employees are well educated on the topic.
True
Performance-simulation tests are thought to be one of the best methods for evaluating job applicants in use today.
True
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted activity of a sexual nature that affects an individual's employment.
True
The 360-degree appraisal includes evaluations from multiple people who interact with the employee.
True
The most important environmental force that affects HRM is the legal environment.
True
The primary determinant of an individual's pay is the type of job he or she performs.
True
Western European countries differ from U.S. companies in that they have work councils that must be consulted on personnel decisions.
True
Nine out of ten organizations in the United States pay their workers on a scale that is based primarily on ________. A) skills B) seniority C) status D) performance
d. Performance
Which health care or safety issue concerns companies the most? A) smoking B) disease C) traffic accidents D) obesity
d. obesity
A(n) ________ selection device shows a clear link between test performance and job performance. A) reliable B) invalid C) unreliable D) valid
d. valid
The first step in any employment planning process involves making a ________. A) job description B) human resource inventory C) product evaluation D) job specification
B) human resource inventory
Interviews are valid predictors of success in the workplace if ________. A) questions are short B) questions are unstructured C) questions are structured D) the interview lasts only a few minutes
C) questions are structured
What is the best course of action when there is a mismatch between the employee and the job? A) employee counseling B) fire the employee C) reassign the employee to a better-matched job D) provide training
C) reassign the employee to a better-matched job
If an employee rebuffs inappropriate sexual advances from her boss but still receives a promotion, ________. A) the boss can't be guilty of sexual harassment B) the employee is not allowed to lodge a complaint C) the boss can still be guilty of sexual harassment D) the employee is not allowed to lodge a complaint if she accepts the promotion
C) the boss can still be guilty of sexual harassment
The most important environmental factor in the HRM process is ________. A) the business environment B) the natural environment C) the legal environment D) the scientific community
C) the legal environment
This is the most important factor in determining how much pay an employee receives. A) education level B) experience C) the type of job the employee has D) the amount of time and effort the employee puts into the job
C) the type of job the employee has
A disadvantage of a written essay for employee appraisal is that it tends to be biased by ________. A) the prejudice of the evaluator B) friendship between the employee and the evaluator C) the writing skill of the evaluator D) the writing skill of the employee
C) the writing skill of the evaluator
Which form of on-the-job training might have a trainee working with a single mentor from the organization? A) vestibule training B) simulation exercises C) understudy assignments D) job rotation
C) understudy assignments
________ in Germany give(s) employees the right to participate in personnel decisions. A) Collective bargaining B) Unionization C) Board representatives D) Work councils
D) Work councils
All of the following are goals of the orientation process EXCEPT ________. A) reduce anxiety B) familiarize the employee with the job C) introduce the employee to his or her coworkers D) discuss payments and benefits
D) discuss payments and benefits
A 360-degree feedback process differs from other appraisal methods in that it includes ________. A) a written essay B) feedback from an employee's supervisor C) honest feedback D) feedback from the employee
D) feedback from the employee
The lengthy process by which a job is examined in detail in order to identify the skills, knowledge and behaviors necessary to perform the job is known as a ________. A) job description B) job specification C) job definition D) job analysis
D) job analysis
A written statement of what a job holder does in his or her job, how it is done, and why it is done is known as a ________. A) job specification B) job qualifications C) job definition D) job description
D) job description
To find out more about a job with a title of "assistant media buyer," you would find this to be most helpful. A) job title B) job specification C) job listing D) job description
D) job description
Which of the following is NOT a voluntary form of downsizing? A) attrition B) early retirement C) job sharing D) layoff
D) layoff
A performance appraisal method that combines two other well-known methods into one process is called ________. A) written essay B) 360-degree feedback C) graphic rating scales D) BARS
D. BARS
A job description states the minimum qualifications a person needs to perform a job successfully.
False
A selection device is valid if it can be proven to accurately measure the abilities of job applicants.
False
Advertisements have been shown to be the most effective method for identifying the best applicants for jobs.
False
Companies find that it is impossible to stop giving employee pensions. In fact, the number of employees on pension plans has risen over the last twenty years.
False
Employers cannot legally discriminate with regard to race, sex, or religion, but there are no laws against denying employment because of age.
False
Firing, layoffs, furloughs, and early retirements are the only three downsizing options.
False
Human resource management activities are restricted to the operational level and do not have an impact on organizational strategy or design.
False
Human resource management is about hiring and firing only.
False
Most job training does not take place on the job.
False
Organizations are not legally required to provide benefits of any type for employees.
False
The BARS appraisal method is the easiest to develop.
False
To improve workplace diversity, a manager might ________. A) advertise in ethnic newspapers and Internet sites B) tighten his recruiting net C) solicit referrals from existing employees D) post a notice that states he is an equal opportunity employer
A) advertise in ethnic newspapers and Internet sites
Which benefit cost do companies see as their biggest worry? A) health care B) retirement plans C) unemployment insurance D) Social Security
A) health care
The key to most sexual harassment cases against an organization is whether the organization ________. A) knew about the behavior and what it did to stop it B) told other employees in the department that harassment occurred C) fired the employee after the charges were lodged D) had hired a known sex offender
A) knew about the behavior and what it did to stop it
________ are filed with the EEOC each year. A) More sexual harassment complaints from males than females B) More sexual harassment complaints from females than males C) About an equal number of sexual harassment complaints from males and females D) Almost no sexual harassment complaints from males
B) More sexual harassment complaints from females than males
Which U.S. law gives you the legal right to see your professor's letter of recommendation? A) Civil Rights Act of 1991 B) Privacy Act of 1974 C) Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 D) Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
B) Privacy Act of 1974
Which of the following would be considered grounds for a sexual harassment charge? A) jokes that had a sexual theme but no one found offensive B) artwork that, while some considered classic, made some employees feel uncomfortable C) hiring a male employee who had been previously convicted of a sex crime D) consensual dating between an employee and supervisor
B) artwork that, while some considered classic, made some employees feel uncomfortable
Downsizing seems to harm ________. A) victims who are dismissed only B) both victims who are dismissed and survivors who stayed on C) survivors who stayed on only D) managers who carried out the dismissals and their families only
B) both victims who are dismissed and survivors who stayed on
The major disadvantage of company pensions is their ________. A) link to employee retention B) cost C) attractiveness to young employees D) tax liability for employees
B) cost
Who would usually hear an appeal if an employee felt they had been inappropriately accused of sexual harassment? A) the employee's direct supervisor B) the director of human resources C) a manager at a higher level not associated with the case D) a manager at a higher level who is already involved in the case
C) a manager at a higher level not associated with the case
What financial threat does sexual harassment pose to companies? A) minor risk of fine B) small legal fees only C) enormous risk of major lawsuit settlements D) none, because companies are insured against harassment
C) enormous risk of major lawsuit settlements
Which of the following is the best way to evaluate a training program? A) how much trainees say they learned B) how costly the method is C) how much information trainees retain D) actual job performance of trainees
D) actual job performance of trainees
For the most part, ________ are involved in HR decisions within their own department or unit. A) very few managers B) some managers C) most managers D) all managers
D) all managers
According to the EEOC, sexual harassment is ________ that creates a hostile environment, interferes with a person's work or diminishes the person's employment opportunities. A) any speech B) any unwanted or unsolicited speech or physical conduct C) any speech of a sexual nature D) any speech or physical conduct of a sexual nature
D) any speech or physical conduct of a sexual nature
In an assessment center, an applicant for an engineering job might ________. A) be interviewed by her prospective boss B) take technical written tests C) be interviewed by fellow employees D) be given an engineering problem to solve
D) be given an engineering problem to solve
A realistic job preview (RJP) includes ________ a job. A) only factual information about B) only positive aspects of C) only negative aspects of D) both positive and negative aspects of
D) both positive and negative aspects of
A community fire department can legally deny employment to a firefighter applicant who is confined to a wheelchair.
True
A key goal of compensation system is to keep employees motivated.
True
Although most sexual harassment complaints are filed by women, a significant number of complaints are filed by men
True
Behavioral interviews involve placing an applicant in stressful circumstances and seeing how he or she deals with the situation.
True
Downsizing can be as stressful for the survivors as it is for the victims.
True
Employee referrals are usually reliable.
True
Employment planning includes two steps: assessing current human resources needs and developing a plan to meet those needs.
True
Human resource management involves training, motivating, and retaining competent employees.
True
Job referrals generally are NOT a good method for improving workplace diversity.
True
Most U.S. jobs use a variable pay system to compensate employees.
True
Which of the following countries' laws pertaining to HRM practices most closely parallel those in the United States? A) Canada B) Mexico C) Australia D) Germany
A) Canada
Today, selection techniques that result in reject errors can open the organization to ________. A) decreased productivity and efficiency B) charges of employee discrimination C) reduced morale D) a weakened workforce
B) charges of employee discrimination
If employment planning shows a large surplus of employees, management may want to ________. A) recruit B) downsize C) expand D) continue with current employment levels
B) downsize
Health insurance is an example of which of the following? A) compensation B) employee benefit C) salary D) wages
B) employee benefit
Affirmative action programs seek to make sure that employers ________ minority groups. A) pay equal wages to B) enhance employment opportunities for C) provide unemployment benefits for D) establish training programs for
B) enhance employment opportunities for
Job training in the United States has been significantly impacted by advances in information technology.
True
What do the written essay, critical incidents, graphic rating scales, and BARS evaluation methods have in common? A) They compare individuals against standards. B) They are multiperson comparisons. C) They compare one employee to his or her peers. D) They rank employees by performance.
A) They compare individuals against standards.
A job specification is ________ A) a list of job qualifications only B) a detailed description of the job C) the description of a job that is used by an employment agency D) usually several pages in length
A) a list of job qualifications only
A critical incident employee appraisal method collects ________. A) anecdotes that reveal the character and performance of an employee B) statements from coworkers in support of an employee C) statements from superiors that may or may not support an employee D) data from an employee's computer to evaluate his or her performance
A) anecdotes that reveal the character and performance of an employee
Which of the following is NOT a factor that should influence compensation and benefits? A) gender B) seniority C) geographical location D) employee performance levels
A) gender
Which multiperson employee evaluation method allows for two or more employees to get the same rating? A) group-order ranking B) individual ranking C) paired comparison D) 360-degree feedback
A) group-order ranking
The difference between firing and layoffs is that ________. A) layoffs are not permanent B) layoffs are permanent C) firing is not permanent D) firing is not voluntary
A) layoffs are not permanent
Most training in U.S. organizations is ________. A) on-the-job training B) off-the-job training C) classroom training D) simulation exercise training
A) on-the-job training
The last steps of the HRM process deal with ________. A) performance and compensation B) training and compensation C) compensation only D) skills
A) performance and competition
To use a physical test as a selection device, a company must demonstrate that ________. A) physical ability is related to job performance B) the test is fair C) the test is reliable D) the test does not discriminate against people with physical disabilities
A) physical ability is related to job performance
All of the following are true of an adjective rating scale for employee evaluation EXCEPT ________. A) provides the most thorough view of the employee B) provides objective quantitative data that can be analyzed in a variety of ways C) is not time-consuming D) it lists performance factors
A) provides the most thorough view of the employee
Which of the following is NOT a positive feature of job rotation as a training method? A) simulation of actual work tasks B) exposure to many different work tasks C) introduction to coworkers D) does not take up too much of any one experienced worker's time
A) simulation of actual work tasks
The most important reason for why managers are increasingly using performance-simulation tests is that they have been found to be ________. A) valid predictors of job performance B) nondiscriminatory C) a good way to test an applicant's character D) easy to administer
A) valid predictors of job performance
An accept error occurs when an applicant ________. A) who is hired performs poorly on the job B) who is not hired would have performed well on the job C) who is not hired is hired by another firm D) who is hired performs adequately on the job
A) who is hired performs poorly on the job
Which of the following is an example of selection device reliability? A) An applicant was given very different interview scores by five independent interviewers. B) An applicant was given the same interview score by five independent interviewers. C) An applicant took a test a second time and her score improved markedly. D) An applicant took a test once and scored higher than any other applicant.
B) An applicant was given the same interview score by five independent interviewers.
Which of the following would be most likely to result in a manager recommending counseling for an employee? A) The employee and the job are mismatched. B) The employee lacks desire to do the job. C) The employee does not have the skills required for the job. D) The employee has not been adequately trained.
B) The employee lacks desire to do the job.
Which of the following is NOT a sign to look for in a successful orientation process? A) The new employee feels comfortable. B) The new employee clearly exceeds all productivity goals for his or her work unit. C) The new employee has an easier transition into the workplace. D) The new employee understands his or her duties and responsibilities.
B) The new employee clearly exceeds all productivity goals for his or her work unit.
The ________ prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, or sex. A) Privacy Act B) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act C) Equal Pay Act D) Sarbanes-Oxley Act
B) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
A job description is ________. A) not a written document B) a written document used to describe a job to job candidates C) something that employers keep secret from job candidates D) the official title for the job
B) a written document used to describe a job to job candidates
Which of the following is NOT a source of bias in a typical interview? A) prior knowledge of the applicant B) how articulate the interviewer is C) the order in which applicants are interviewed D) an applicant who shares the attitudes of the interviewer
B) how articulate the interviewer is
As one of his first tasks in a new job, Steve's boss asks him to develop a database that lists the educational level, special capabilities, and specialized skills of all the employees in his firm. This is known as a ________. A) job description B) human resource inventory C) lengthy process D) job analysis
B) human resource inventory
Recruitment is the process of ________. A) hiring from outside the organization B) locating, identifying, and attracting potential employees C) assessing the national, international, and local labor market D) hiring from inside the organization
B) locating, identifying, and attracting potential employees
Human resource management is concerned with ________ competent employees. A) obtaining B) obtaining, training, motivating, and retaining C) obtaining, training, and motivating D) training and keeping
B) obtaining, training, motivating, and retaining
Asking a candidate for an automotive mechanic's position to deconstruct and reconstruct part of an engine motor would be an example of what kind of selection device? A) spatial ability test B) performance-simulation test C) mechanical ability test D) perceptual accuracy test
B) performance-simulation test
Organizational orientation informs a new employee about ________. A) his or her responsibilities for the job B) the history and philosophy of the organization C) what expectations he or she has about the job are unrealistic D) how their manager will evaluate the employee on the job
B) the history and philosophy of the organization
Few people are ever selected for a job without this. A) taking a written test B) undergoing an interview C) taking a performance-simulation test D) taking a physical test
B) undergoing an interview
A reject error occurs when an applicant ________. A) who is hired performs poorly on the job B) who is not hired would have performed well on the job C) who is hired performs the job at a high level D) who is not hired would have performed poorly on the job
B) who is not hired would have performed well on the job
While ________ can reach the greatest number of applicants for a job, many of those candidates may be unqualified for the job itself. A) an internal search B) advertising C) a temporary help service D) school placement
B. Advertising
Employment planning involves ________. A) addition of staff only B) addition of staff and reduction of staff only C) addition of staff, reduction of staff, and selection only D) addition of staff, reduction of staff, motivation of staff, and selection
C) addition of staff, reduction of staff, and selection only
During an interview, an applicant for a managerial job is confronted with role players who make the claim that they have been "harassed on the job." The applicant is then asked to deal with the complaints. What kind of selection device is being used? A) performance-simulation test B) structured interview C) behavioral interview D) high-stress interview
C) behavioral interview
HR managers can accurately estimate human resource needs for an organization by evaluating which of the following? A) employment and unemployment statistics B) the general state of the economy C) demand for the organization's product D) how competitors are performing
C) demand for the organization's product
How effective are behavioral interviews? A) no more effective than other interviews B) less effective than other interviews C) eight times as effective as ordinary interviews D) twice as effective as ordinary interviews
C) eight times as effective as ordinary interviews
This is a key disadvantage to recruiting through employee referrals. A) limited to entry-level positions B) high cost C) no diversity increase D) lower-skilled candidates
C) no diversity increase
How would the individual ranking method rank a group of 30 employees? A) All 30 employees would be given a letter grade from A to F. B) Employees would be ranked in quintiles, e.g., the top fifth, the second fifth, and so on. C) Employees would be ranked against one another in pairs. D) Each employee would be ranked by number from 1 to 30.
D) Each employee would be ranked by number from 1 to 30.
Which of the following is an advantage of using private employment agencies for recruiting? A) low cost B) candidates who are familiar with the organization C) improves employee morale D) careful screening of applicants
D) careful screening of applicants
A strength of a written essay as an employee appraisal device is that it allows the writing skill of the evaluator to be a determining factor in the appraisal of performance.
False
An accept error involves not hiring an employee who could have performed well in a job.
False
Employees in Mexico are less likely to belong to a union than employees in the United States.
False
Important goals of job orientation are to reduce anxiety and to familiarize the recruit with the job and the organization.
True
In a realistic job preview (RJP), an applicant might be told that the likelihood for promotion for the job he is applying for is slim.
True
Increased demand for employees typically is associated with increased demand for the products or services offered by an organization.
True
Neil Huffman Auto group claims that every dollar it spends on training ultimately results in $230 in productivity gains.
True
Which of the following downsizing methods can "happen on its own" if management suspends hiring practices? A) firing B) reduced workweeks C) attrition D) transfer
c. attrition
In the selection process, there are ________ possible outcomes. A) two B) three C) four D) dozens of
c. four
________ indicates how consistently a selection device measures a criterion. A) Operational scoring B) Qualification C) Reliability D) Validity
c. reliability
